Folding lantern



J. W. SMITH.

FOLDING LANTERN.

(Appucatxon led June 14, 189B (No Model.)

W/ T/VE SSE S FFICE.

PATENT JOHN XV. SMITH, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

FOLDING LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,436, dated April 18, 1899. Application iiled Tune 14, 1898. Serial No. 683,436. (No model.)

T0 (all wtont t may concern.:

Be it known that I,J OHN V. SMITH, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved Folding Lantern, of which the following is a specification.

This invention seeks to provide a novel form of lantern capable of being folded up in such a compact manner that it canbe conveniently carried in the pocket or in a miners pack, taking up but very little room.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a lantern of this character of a very simple and economical construction, which can be quickly and easily adj usted to its folded or extended position and which when extended is of a rigid and strong construction, and in which the several parts are so arranged and combined that when folded up they will be held secure from danger of being broken when carried in the pocket or pack.

This invention also comprehe'nds the construction of parts so connected that they can be folded up without completely disconnecting or separating any of the parts from each other, making the entire structure, as it were, virtually of one sectional piece having no adj ustable parts which must be taken apart.

Another feature of this invention lies in the novel construction of the several partsin combination with a peculiar form of candleholder having an interdependent connection with the other parts, whereby to admit of the complete structure being folded in a neat and compact form.

Again, this invention involves a simple means for carrying the lantern suspended when extended and which serves as a locking means for holding the several parts in their folded position.

In its subordinate features this invention consists in the peculiar combination and novel arrangement of parts, such as will be first described in detail and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved lantern extended for use. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken practically on the line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same,showingthetop and bottom pieces swung out and the body portion as partly folded in its first movement. Fig. 4 is a face view of the same, the sides and front of the body portion being folded flat against the back portion, the candle-holder being shown folded flat. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lantern folded up and the suspending devices acting as a locking means. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a detail cross-section of the top member.

In its practical construction my improved lantern is made out of sheet metal, preferably block-tin, and comprises a rectangularshaped back member l, having its top and bottom bent at right angles to form a fixed top section 1 and a xed bottom section 1b, it also having one side bent in at right angles to form a iixed side section 1, such sections 1a, 1b, and 1C being of a depth approximately equal that of the thickness of the folded portions adapted to close in against the back to allow for the several parts being folded up practically flat, as shown in Figs. 5 and G.

2, 3, and 4 indicate, respectively, the front, the wide side, and the narrow side of the body, which are so hinged to each other as to be capable of being opened out to form the three sides of the square of the lantern-body, as shown in Fig. 2, or upon each other, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. For this purpose the long side 3 is hinged at 2 to the edge 1d of the back, preferably by a bead-joint, and at its outer end it is secured by the bead-hinge connection 3b to one edge of the front member 2, which member is of a suflicient less width than the back l to allow member 2 to fold down inside the angle 4, and has its edge 2b connected by the bead-hinge to the angle member 4a of the side 4, which is of sufficient width to make member 2 when extended equal in width to back member l, the outer edge of the member 2 also having a hinge connection with the edge 1C of the back l. By thus connecting the several members 2, 3,'and 4 to each other and the members 3 and 4 to the back 1 it follows that the body part proper of the lantern can be folded up in a very compact way or opened out without disconnecting any of the part-s thereof. Thus when the lantern is to be folded up (the top and bottom being swung out) the members 2 and 3 IOO are lowered inward and the memberltswung outward, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, until the member 3 lies against the back 1, when the members 2 and 4 are swung back upon the member 3, the member 4 being over the member 2, as clearlyshown in Fig. 6, the peculiar connection of the several parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 permitting such manipulation of parts and the compact assembling, as illustrated.

The members 2, 3, and 4t have glass or mica covered openings 5, the mica or glass sheets being held in any suitable manner.

Having thus described the general construction of the body of the lantern, I will now describe the peculiar construction of the top and the bottom members, the candleholder, and the combined suspending or carrier and lock devices, which, in combination with the folding sides, form an essential feature of this invention.

The top 6 is hinged to the member l"L and has pendent side flanges 6a and a front pendent dang-e 6b, which flanges project over the upper edges of the side and front portions 2, 3, and 4, as shown in Fig. 1, said top 6 also having a spring-catch 6C, which engages a flange 2on the upper end of the front 2 and serves to hold the top locked down, such operation being also augmented by bending` the flanges Gf 6b slightly inward to bind against the ends of the members 2, 3, and et when closed down thereon.

The top 6 has a suitable vent-opening 6e and a hood 6d, to which is pivotally secured a bail '7, having a chain-section 7n, provided with a spring latch or hook 7b, whereby the lantern can be conveniently suspended. The bail 7, chain, and latch 'b are made of such length in relation to the body of the lantern that when the parts are folded up, as shown in Fig. 5, said parts will serve as a means for holding the several parts to their locked position, the spring-latch 7b fitting over the lower edge, as shown.

8 indicates the bottom, which is hinged to thepart lb and has side and front iianges S 8b, also bent inward to tightly grip the lower edges of the sides 3 4 and front 2, it also having a spring-catch 8 to engage the flange 2d on the front 2. The candle-holder 9 is sel cured to the bottom 8 and comprises a plate 9, hinged to the said bottom, as best shown in Fig. 8, and having its upper end bifurcated, as at. 9". 9X includes a second plate having a bifurcated end 9, which, together with the bifurcated end 9b of the plate 9, forms a socket for the candle when the two plates are opened out, as shown. The plate 9 has a pivotal connection with the plate 9n of such nature as to permit its being folded thereagainst, as shown in Fig. 9, whereby the two plates 9 and 9 can be folded down flat against the bottom S, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The plate 9 has its lower end formed into rest portions to seat against the bottom 8.

By constructing a holder in the manner described it is obvious that the same can be quickly opened up to form a suitable candlerest and fold up into a small compass and in such a manner on the bottom S as not to iuterfere in the slightest with such bottom folding fiat down on the other parts, such iiat folding down of the holder 9 being facilitated by cnt-out portions of the plates 9 9X fitting over the catch 8C. The back l has a suitable slidecovered opening le to permit ready access to the candle for lighting or igniting purposes.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the advantages of this invention will readily appear.

My improvement will be found of especial value to miners and prospecting parties who must needs carry their necessary equipments in packs. 'It will also be found of use to travelers, particularly in sparsely-settled communities. The same can be manufactured at avery small cost and is of suii'icient strength to withstand ordinary usage. lt will also be apparent that as the candle-holder 9 folds down flat against the bottoni 8 it also allows a small lamp to be used inside the lantern ifl preferable at any time to a candle.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. ln alantern as described; in combination, a back having horizontal flanges at the top 1, 1b, and bottom, and a forwardly-extending angle-piece 1C, at one side g the hinged sections 2, 3 and 4, the section 4, being hinged to the angle-piece 1C, the section 8, being hinged to the edge of the back, the cover hinged to the iange 1, the bottom S hinged to flange l, said hinged top and bottom members having means for clamping over the body members 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the lantern, as specified.

2. ln a folding lantern of the character described, a bail hinged to one end of the lantern, and having a supporting-chain, said chain having a latch-hook adapted to fit over the edge of the lantern-body opposite the bail end as and for the purposes described.

3. In a lantern of the character'described, in combination with the flatly-folding sections 1, 2, 3 and e, and the hinged bottom, adapted to fold up iiat against the aforesaid sections; of a candle-holder consisting of foldable sections, hinged to the bottom to lie flat thereagainst and having means for supporting them in a vertical position, as specied.

4. In a lantern as described, the combination with the folding sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the hinged bottom flatly foldable on the said sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the candle-holder, comprising a plate 9, having a bifurcated upper end, said plate having its lower end hinged to the bottoni, and a plate 9X, having a bifurcated upper end, hinged to the plate 9, to fold flat thereagainst and having foot portions to engage the bottom, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

5. An improved foldable lantern, consisting IOO IKO

of the back 1, the sides 3, and hinged thereto tom, and a combined suspending and lock to fold thereon, and the front hinged to the chain, all being arranged substantially as sides 3 and 4, the top 6, and the bottom 8, shown and for the purposes described.

foldable over the sides and front, both in their extended and folded positions, said top and bottom being,` hinged to the back l, n izttlyfoldable candle-holder mounted on the bot- JOHN XV. SMITH. Vitnesses:

S. T. JEFFREYS, A. T. LEWIS. 

